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Covington County adopts rule to auction unclaimed sheriff’s property after six months
Summary
The Covington County Commission voted to add a process to Title 45 allowing the sheriff’s office to notify owners, hold recovered or abandoned property for six months and auction unclaimed items, with recordkeeping and attorney‑approved wording added before filing in Montgomery.
The Covington County Commission on Jan. 15 adopted a resolution adding a process for the sheriff’s office to manage abandoned or recovered property, including a six‑month holding period, public notification and auction of items not reclaimed.
The resolution, described by the sheriff as a way to formalize handling of long‑unclaimed items and property recovered in investigations, directs the sheriff’s office to publish notices, maintain records of holdings and dispose of unclaimed merchandise by public sale. Commissioners said the draft mirrors language already in effect in Shelby County and that county counsel would insert a clarifying phrase before the version is forwarded to the state for filing.
Why it matters: Sheriff’s offices frequently retain recovered or unclaimed items for extended periods; without a formal county process, property can sit unclaimed and recordkeeping may be incomplete. The new language is intended to protect the county and provide a clear public notice and auction process for owners seeking to reclaim property.
During discussion the sheriff summarized the proposal’s main elements, saying the county would hold property for six months to give owners time to claim items. Commissioners and staff discussed categories of property (from firearms to vehicles to small equipment) and confirmed firearms would be transferred or sold following applicable law. Miss Morgan and Miss Holmes reviewed the draft and recommended the addition of a short clarifying phrase for additional county protection; the sheriff said he agreed with the change.
A motion to adopt the resolution contingent on those staff revisions was made and seconded; the commission voted in favor.
The commission asked staff to circulate the finalized resolution packet to members and to forward the adopted language to Montgomery for any required state processing. No dollar amounts or auction schedules were specified in the packet; the resolution focuses on process and recordkeeping.
Provenance: discussion and motion begin in the meeting packet discussion of abandoned property (timeline SEG 066–SEG 151).
